Browse Medical Science by evolution

Shark Phylogeny, Part 1: Evolution

This article is the first in a two-part series on shark phylogeny. It describes interesting facts about the evolution of sharks.

A Human Evolution Timeline

Human evolution happened over such a long period of time that it’s difficult to comprehend it. Looking at a human evolution timeline—an outline of the development of our ancestors—can provide the necessary structure, and also demonstrates just how long all of these events took.

Why Does A/H1N1 Swine Flu Mainly Affect Young Adults?

Influenza usually affects the elderly, but not the 2009 swine flu. Why are older people immune to swine flu? The answer lies in the history of the influenza virus.

Where Did Superbugs Come From?

Superbugs are bacteria that are immune to antibiotics. Get the facts on the origins of superbugs, a frightening public health hazard.

On the Origin of Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin is known as the father of evolution, more or less, but he is by no means the only person to have had evolutionary theories. What and who were Darwin’s influences and inspirations?

The Life and Times of Alfred Wallace, another Discoverer of Evolution

Darwin is famous for his theory of evolution, but he was not the only person who correctly determined how the process worked. Alfred Russel Wallace isn’t well known but his theories were just as important, not to mention correct.

Darwin & Wallace: The Two Track Model of Scientific Thought

The belief systems of evolutionists Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace are interesting to compare, as the two men both “discovered” evolution independently of one another, and in completely different ways. It is also interesting to speculate upon what might have happened had Wallace published his theories before Darwin did.

What is Phylogeny?

How is phylogeny related to genealogy? Both study family relationships. Read about concepts relating to phylogeny.

A Surprise Discovery About Ratite Bird Phylogeny

The flightless birds known as ratites are oddballs of evolution. Research using phylogenomic analysis and other methods has so far failed to result in a clear picture of their phylogeny.

Ontogeny Recapitulates Phylogeny, Part Two: Problems and Influences

The theory of recapitulation in its strict literal form is now known to have many problems, but it had a notable influence on other areas of science such as the social sciences. Part Two of this series explores these ideas.